Adjustable seat



Dec. 20, 1966 E. T. BESSLER ADJUSTABLE SEAT Filed June 15, 1964 Ill INIVENTOR.

EDWARD T. BESSLER ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,292,187 ADJUSTABLE SEAT Edward T. Bessler, 2483 S. Delaware, Milwaukee, Wis. 53207 Filed June 15, 1964, Ser. No. 375,018 6 Claims. (Cl. 4-185) My invention relates to bath tub seats, and more particularly to a seat that is self adjustable to fit the width of any bath tub.

The prime object of my invention is to provide a bath tub seat that is self adjustable, and constructed of a single piece of pliable material, and provides resilient support for the user, one that adjusts itself to the width if the tub when weight is applied near the center of its upper surface.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described, that may be constructed of material such as plastic, and will not scratch or mar the surface of the bath tub to which it is applied.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a bath tub seat that consists of a single piece of material having no moving parts or attachments applied thereto.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device that is easy to clean when removed from the water.

It is manifest to anyone, that quite frequently, invalids or physically handicapped people, or older folks, are not in a physical condition to recline or repose on the bottom of the bath tub, and it is the prime purpose of my invention, to provide a pliable, resilient seat that will automatically adjust itself to the inner contour of the tub, without manual skill, a seat that will retain itself in position without danger of disengagement, thereby providing a comfortable seat for the user, a seat that is easily cleaned, and readily adaptable for convenient removal and replacing.

The device is economical and easy to construct, and serves a purpose for which it is intended.

Other and further objects of my invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a lateral cross-sectional view of a conventional bath tub, with the device constituting my invention disposed therein ready for use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of the device consisting of a single band of pliable material, curved radially at both ends.

FIG. 3 is a modified construction with the extreme ends bent at right-angle to support the seat portion.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are further modifications, showing the material formed to varied radial contours, and

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the seat shown in FIG. 6, taken at the line 7--7 in FIG. 6.

Similar characters or reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring now to the same, the character 10, shows a single band of pliable material such as plastic, or the like, which may be of any desirable width, and of a thickness to resiliently support the weight applied thereto by the user when seated thereon.

The central portion of the band 10 shown as 11, acts as a seat for the person using the device when it is inserted in a bath tub shown generally (see FIG. 1) in cross-section as 12, having the outer walls 13 shown vertically, the inner walls 14, tapered inward toward the bottom 15. The two ends of the band 10 (see FIGS.

3,292,187 Patented Dec. 20, 1966 ice 1 and 2), are radially formed at 16, to any convenient radius by winding each of the ends of said band a desired amount. Therefore when the seat is inserted in a bath tub to rest onto the bottom 15 at 17, and pressure is applied to the seatjll, it will cause the radially formed ends 16 to assume an oval contour, thereby closely contacting the inner walls 14 of the tub 12 at 18, and the coefficient of friction of the surface of the band 10 with the inner surface of the walls 14, will prevent any slipping of the device while in use.

The modified structures shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 inclusive are all of the same relative design, and function in the same manner. In FIG. 3, the fiat portions 19 are an integral part of the radial portions 16, and will give additional support for the seat portion 11, when in use.

This is also true with the flat portions 19 in FIG. 4,

but the additional opposite radial portion 20 forming a part of the radial portions 16, will give additional resiliency and strength.

In FIG. 5, the contacts shown as 21, will move in the direction shown by the arrows, and in FIG. 6, the radial ends 22 will move toward one another as shown by the arrows, when weight is applied to the seat 11.

From the above description it will become manifest that the device is a practical bath room accessory, and will function efficiently for the purpose for which it is intended. 'It is easy to clean, requires no special skill to manipulate and is a convenience for a great number of people who find it diflicult to take a bath in a sitting position within a tub.

Although I have shown a specific construction with modifications, I am fully cognizant of the fact that many changes may be made without effecting the operativeness of the device, and I reserve the rights to make such changes without departing from the spirit of my invention of the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. An improved adjustable seat that can provide resilient support in tubsof various widths, comprising: a band of resilient pliable material, a radial formation at each end of said band formed by winding each of the ends of said band to a position where the width of said seat equals the tub it is to be inserted in, whereby said adjustable seat can be inserted in said tub and the radial formations assume an oval contour by closely contacting the sides of a tub when weight is exerted on said resilient pliable material.

2. In a tub having a certain width with substantially upright sides defining said width, 2. band of resilient pliable material interposed between the sides of said tub to provide support at a selectable height for a person to be seated thereon, said band having a radial formation at each end thereof formed by winding each of the ends of said band a predetermined amount in order that the portion of the pliable hand between said radial formations if at said selectable height and said radial formations rest against said upright sides when interposed therebetween.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the extreme ends of said pliable material are formed at right angles and are adjacent to said pliable material that is between said radial formations, whereby said pliable material is given additional support when weight is exerted thereon.

4. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the extreme ends of said pliable material have an additional radial bend therein, thereby giving additional resiliency and strength to saiddevice.

5. A device, as defined in claim 4, wherein said additional radial bend is opposite to the bend of said radial formations.

6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said extreme ends terminate in flat portions after said additional radial bend; said fiat portions being adjacent to said pliable material that is between said radial formations,

whereby said pliable material is given additional support when Weight is exerted thereon.

No references cited.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner. H. GROSS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN IMPROVED ADJUSTBALE SEAT THAT CAN PROVIDE RESILIENT SUPPORT IN TUBS OF VARIOUS WIDTHS, COMPRISING: A BAND OF RESILIENT PLIABLE MATERIAL, A RADIAL FORMATION AT EACH END OF SAID BAND FORMED BY WINDING EACH OF THE ENDS OF SAID BAND TO A POSITION WHERE THE WIDTH OF SAID SEATS EQUALS THE TUB IT IS TO BE INSERTED IN, WHEREBY SAID ADJUSTABLE SEAT CAN BE INSERTED IN SAID TUB AND THE RADIAL 